Injuries

Injury management can make a significant difference to the outcome of a football team. Maintaining a healthy squad improves your chances of success. Preparation to avoid injuries is as important as managing injuries when they occur.

Help topics:

Concussion: Coaches have a duty of care when players receive a knock to the head so learn how to identify and manage concussive injuries.

Upper Limb Injuries: There are a range of upper limb injuries that a prone to occur in Australian Football. Trainers need to understand what each injury means, how a player will present for each type of injury and the best way to manage the injury following the event.

Head and Neck Injuries: The most important principle in managing a player who has received a forceful contact to the head is that until it can be cleared the trainer should always assume that the playerís neck may have been injured.

Stretchers and Cervical Collars: Following recent discussion about the management of a player with concussion or a neck injury, we have had some enquiries regarding the recommended type of stretcher and neck brace for clubs to have at their disposal on match day.

Helmets & Mouthguards: The AFL has released a position statement on the role of helmets and mouthguards in Australian Football.

Soft Tissue Injuries: The ins and outs of soft tissue injuries and an explanation of the immediate injury management technique, RICER.

Hamstring Strains: A guide to the three grades of hamstring injuries, how to manage them when they first happen and diagnosis and treatment.

Mental Impact of Injuries: This extract of Dr Mandy Ruddock-Hudsonís PhD dissertation undertaken at LaTrobe University explores the research into the emotional and behavioural response of players to injuries

First Aid Kits: Lists the contents of a well stocked first aid kit for community football.

Screening Young Players: Find out about the musculoskeletal (MSK) screening program that identifies risk factors for injury in junior and senior football players.